Update on ‘The 1 percent tip’

A few new details on the Friday-night incident that became a big talker:

The restaurant, which had scheduled an extra server specifically because there was a party of 14 coming in, covered the difference between what the group tipped and what the waitress would normally have been expected make on a table that size.

The restaurant has changed it valet policy; any keys remaining when the valet departs are left with the manager on duty, to be returned individually when diners leave.

The group of 14 did call in advance to say they would be late, but they were late for the rescheduled time, too.

I hate to say it, all of this is just a matter of what happens when you run a restaurant. Does the situation suck for the business owner and the waitstaff, of course. The best thing here is that the owner had the respect to the server to make up for the stingy, bratty customers so that they didn’t go home with barely enough money to cover their bills. I say kudos to the restaurant owner for doing this, an for even making the policy change on the keys. Not likely we will hear from the patrons.

On the note from the prior rift, that servers make more than kitchen employees, that is true and un-true at the same time. Cooks have a steady paycheck that they know they will receive every week, it only fluctuates based upon the hours that they work. A full-time line cook may work from 35-60 hours in any given week. A server on the other hand comes in during service only, if they work a five day work week for a dinner schedule they may work from 4pm-10pm, or 30 hours. In those thirty hours they must make enough money to sustain their financial well-being, that is why they are compensated more by the hour on average. However, there are many nights like this one when a server could have gone home with very little income, which is balanced by heavier days. The cooks however, know exactly what they are taking home and that is the security in kitchen work over service staff.

While I don’t take his side, I’m suddenly reminded of Steve Buscemi’s character in “Resevoir Dogs” rubbing his thumb and forefinger together, saying, “This is the world’s smallest violin playing for all the waitresses”.
It’s a classic scene, because it really covers the arguments for and against tipping, even if in a coldly logical way.

Hey Steve,
Whatever happened to fair, balanced, and unbiased journalism? While you won’t identify the restaurant in question, a simple review of the facts clearly identifies it as 677 Prime.

1. Valet in Albany (Could be McGuires, Brown Derby, or 677 Prime)
2. Valet moved vehicles close by and left them in the front of the restaurant (Eliminates McGuires (Lark Street), Brown Derby (Clinton Avenue)
3. Therefore, it is your beloved 677 Prime Steve and you have lost so much credibility with this reader. I remember 2 years ago, when you publically identified Elda’s because of a hair found in an appetizer. Now, you talk about, nameless restaurants, nameless GM’s, nameless owners but stand behind the story because you were there? Really??

Angelo, should have comped something, but his arrogance again got in the way “How could a member of my staff do something wrong”. “Not possible, it must be the customers fault”

As far as your insinuation that this was a systematic, well devised plan by this party to “get over”, I find that completely laughable. A party of 14 does not make a reservation at Prime with the hopes of getting a comped drink or dessert. I imagine they went there with the notion of having a memorable (and expensive) night out in celebration of a friends birthday.

The fact that Angelo would approach a table and publically announce “that we are doing nothing with your bill” is so far out of bounds and totally unprofessional. As you stated, the young man approached him in a respectful and private manner–no gradiosity, profanity, or unreasonable demands. He just wanted him to know that it was highly irregular that a valet would approach/or stand next to a table during a birthday toast. It is rude and inexcusable in any restaurant.

The “chew and screw”, “dine and dash” notions are best reserved for Friendly’s or the diner. I highly doubt that these were the intentions of this group. Without a doubt, the waitress thought she could do better than the 20% automatic gratuity and ended up getting burned. Oh well, she can blame that on the valet, the GM, and squarely on the clueless owner.

Finally, you need to get back to basics Steve, your blog has become a bulletin board for Mazzone Management and their properties. Now you have even gone as far as airing their dirty laundry.

Ironically, in most restaurants, any waitsatff that approaches a customer about a small gratuity is usually fired on the spot. Instead, you write a f-ing blog about it–Shame on You Stevie!

Your incorrect assumption would be merely wrong if you weren’t so smugly obnoxious in your high-dudgeon reply. instead, you’re hilariously wrong, and you make a fool of yourself in the process with your careless and ill-reasoned “review of the facts.”

Among the flaws in your detective work:

1) I never said the restaurant was in Albany. Saratoga is full of valet parking at this time of year. And Saratoga is a prime destination for partying med students before the full brunt of the semester has begun.

2) The Brown Derby has permission to set aside a number of metered spaces in front of its building for use by its valets, and thus they’re available and empty at the end of the night.

3) In the rare instance that 677 Prime’s valets go home before the last car is picked up, the keys go to the hostess stand, not the table.

Finally, I never suggested I thought it was a coordinated attempt at a scam. If you could understand what you read, you’d see I wrote this: “I thought they came across as privileged jerks with misplaced senses of superiority and entitlement.”

The shame is on you, for both your hysteria and your ignorant, baseless smearing of Angelo Mazzone.

The complaint that this blog is nothing but a mouthpiece for Mazzone and his properties is soooooooooooo 12 months ago.

It’s not Steve’s fault that Mazzone recognizes the influence this blog has and makes a point to always send Steve information detailing the latest goings on at his properties.

Steve has made it clear from the very beginning that he will publish any and all email specials that he can verify.

Now, onto the matter itself, assuming Steve’s account is accurate, which we’ll just have to for my purposes, the lead med student made one fatal mistake.

I believe had he simply complained about the valet service (which I too find a bit tacky, and obviously the restaurant did in hindsight since they’ve changed their policy) and not also asked for a comp, he probably would have received it.

Instead, the student chose to force the comp, thus putting the owner on the defensive and blowing his chance.

Pico, calm yourself down – there’s another restaurant that fits this story and having spoken to the owner when we dined there last month I was told that Steve eats at the bar on many a Friday night! Folks should really just put a cork in it unless they have FACTS! Sheesh!

First of all, this is a blog – not a news story – so take that “unbiased” crap somewhere else. Steve presented the situation as he witnessed it and assessed it, how do you tell stories?

Second, you must have something against (or for) Mazzone, because the only blog posts you seem to notice are the ones that refer to Prime. The fact is, dozens of other restaurants get discussed on this blog. Perhaps you should take the time to read about them too before baselessly questioning the integrity of the author. Shame on YOU.

Stevie,
1. A restaurant in Saratoga would hold a table for 14 for an hour on a Friday night? Negatory Steve-O!

2. You and your readers suggested that this was an “attempt” to ensure a comped drink or dessert.

3. My baseless bashing is based on 10+ years of doing business with him. Probably 200K worth of business, Baseless–hardly!!

4. You are biased towards his properties-You even went on a fact finding mission to NYC on his dime. If you were a reviewer as opposed to a blogger you would be forbidden from ever reviewing his properties.

Pico — You’ve done $200K worth of business with Steve? Really? Ha! Sounds like you need to pump the breaks, cocaine and coffee are not a good combination. Oh, and why don’t you use your real name? Who are you, Mark Twain?

@Pico, amazing that even after Steve says it wasn’t 677 Prime, which blows the entire premise of your rant ‘n’ rage out of the water, you still try to argue. Your problem with Mazzone has made you crazy. And obnoxious.

Re: “Pico”… I think I know what the “D.” stands for. Rhymes with “bouche dag.”

Little tip for you, though, “Pico”: If you’re really trying to convince anyone that you’re not obnoxious, smug, and hysterical, maybe you could actually address Steve by his name instead of your repeated and condescending use of a nickname.

Pico – Funny, I never even thought of 677 -I thought it was Dale Miller the entire time since they have that wonderful Horseradish encrusted filet. They also have valet parking and a beautiful bar at which I could see Steve sitting at. I also thought that it was fitting that doctors in training would be inconsiderate enough to keep people waiting 45 minutes – that is about the time it takes for me to get from a doctor’s reception area in their office to the exam room.

Steve-I gotta say that even though we have never met…I LUV YA MAN! You are so eloquent in your responses! You (seem) to keep your cool even with the most obnoxious of commenters (P.D.G.). I honestly do not know how you do it! I do hope to meet you one day! Back on topic, I think the fact that the restaurant in question made some minor changes shows they are not taking a stance of “we did nothing wrong”. They may not have but at least they have taken pro-active steps to avoid a similar confrontation in the future. I think that is respectable and shows that they have reflected on the events. What have those med. students done to reflect on their behavior that evening at a fine dining establishment? We’ll never know. If I acted like that, I would never tell a soul or admit to it…I’d simply be too embarrassed and ashamed.

**{{As far as your insinuation that this was a systematic, well devised plan by this party to “get over”, I find that completely laughable. A party of 14 does not make a reservation at Prime with the hopes of getting a comped drink or dessert.}}**

Then why the separate checks for a party of 14?! Probably to get out of the “automatic gratuity for large parties.”

Bunch of scammers. Let’s keep the blame where it belongs. On the diners.

Steve Barnes, Senior correspondent for the Albany Times Union and host of one of upstate New York’s most popular blogs, “Table Hopping”, was rushed to the emergency room earlier today so his foot could be removed from the A$$ of someone called Pico D. Gallo.

Pico D. Gallo was admitted for observation and a spokesman for the hospital said that he may have to be treated for Mazzone Derangement Syndrome, a rare but often debilitating condition. His A$$ is expected to return to normal size in a day or two.

Mr. Barnes was treated and released however the shoe he was wearing had to be euthanized.

Pico, another restaurant in Albany that has valet service is 74 State which is the one I was thinking it was. Also if you feel so strongly about confronting Steve about how he writes his own blog then why don’t you sign your real name. There is another option, you could just stop reading it since it seems to upset you so much.

Anyway, I did assume that it was 677 Prime based on Steve’s description of the valet service and how the cars were moved to the front of the restaurant at the end ofthe evening. This is the policy at Prime, as the remaining vehicles are backed up close to the exit of the restaurant.

Steve:

Why so sensitive and agressive in your defense of Mazzone? It was you that went on the attack with name calling and personal attacks. I merely pointed out that you spend a lot of time in his establishments and utilize a lot of this blog to highlight his properties.

You are a paid journalist, not a random blogger! So start acting as such. I would imagine your friendship with Mazzone would be a red flag to TU management and this may be why you are allowed to “blog” about restaurants as opposed to reviewing them.

The owner:

I have gone back and re-read the article and was MISTAKEN in my assertion that Steve thought this was a well organized attack on the integrity of the restaurant. In fact, it was the owner that felt this way–even more laughable. Any owner of any restaurant should have apologized profusely for the conduct of the valet, comped a few desserts and thanked this party for layig down $500+ on a friday evening.

I imagine this owner is embarassed, ashamed, and irate that this story has even seen the light of day. What is the message here? Come to my restaurant, spend $500 bucks, any complaints you may have will be debated and dismissed and as a bonus if you leave a bad tip–my friend that writes for the TU will post it in his blog.

For him to approach a table of 14 and publically announce “we are not doing anything with your bill” is amateur hour and indicative of someone that will not be in business long.

Server:

I have been a server for over 20+ years and know that this restaurant policy is fairly universal: If a server approaches or confronts a customer about a poor tip–they are fired on the spot, no questions asked.

I do sympathize with her to some degree, but you take the good with the bad in this industry. If she works in such a high-end establishment, she is well compensated 99% of the time.

Fellow Bloggers:

I thought blogs were a place where we could share our opinion and read the input of others with common interests. I guess only if our opinions do no offend Steve’s friends.

I the last 24 hours I have been called:

Smug
Arrogant
Ignorant
Hysterical
A Fool
A Bouche Bag
Accused of Cocaine use
and one blogger suggested that Steve should physically assault me.

If we are no longer allowed to express our opinions freely on this page, is this not a violation of our freedom of speech? And if so, is this not an indictment of the entire U.S. Constitution? Well you bloggers can call me names and use your hurtful words, but I’m not gonna sit here and let you bad mouth the United States of America!

To make your lives easier and no longer offend Steve’s buddy, I will no longer post on this or any other TU blog. I just ask that you all remain civil with future bloggers, they may just have something important to say.

You’re “not sure how this got so personal”? You impugned my journalism and my ethics, you based strong criticism on a faulty assumption, you alternately accused me of shilling for and airing the dirty laundry of a restaurateur who was not involved, you used the occasion to say derogatory things about him, and then you suggested those who rebutted you must be on the restaurateur’s payroll, not merely in disagreement with you.

It’s hypocritical to make a strong and condescending attack on me and then get all wounded when people reply in kind. As for assuming a reader was suggesting I assault you, that’s a willful misreading of what clearly was a joke, written as a spoof TV-news story, and referring to my initial reply to your first comment.

Pico (#28): NO, if you get adverse comments it is NOT a violation of your freedom of speech. You spoke, didn’t you? You haven’t been arrested yet, have you?

It is unutterably stupid for anyone (including you) to think “freedom of speech” means you can’t be criticized, slammed or even insulted as a result of that speech. People get what they deserve, despite the Constitution.

Your initial post @ # 10 was wrong. Totally and completely wrong. When you were shown your errors … instead of offering an apology … you use post #16 to make even more erroneous assumptions.

And then you begin your last post wondering how this “got so personal”.

Really ??????

Like most who are convinced of their own superiority, you are quick to take offense when others disagree with you and slow to catch on when shown how indefensible your position is. You take umbrage at the adjectives your fellow posters have used for you yet you can’t (or won’t) see how you have earned each and every one of them.

Blogs are indeed about opinions. This one is first and foremost about STEVE BARNES !!!! It’s HIS BLOG !!!

GET IT !!!!

No one prevented you from giving your opinion about Steve or Mazzone. You got to air your “opinions” and so did the others who post on this blog. You just didn’t like the responses you generated but please try to be man enough to understand that you deserve them

You end your first post with an “F” bomb and refer to Mr. Barnes as “Stevie” in a most condescending manner. This makes your call for civility at the end of your last post flaccid, anemic and painfully insincere.

I have always disagreed with your cozy relationship with Mazzone-you know that. You are a PAID journalist and I believe turn a blind eye (and refuse to post) some blog entries that are negative towrads Mazzone or his proprties. We (bloggers) have the luxury of stating opinions, whether based on fact or not, you sir do not!

If you/and your readers demand transparency, why don’t you post the name of the restaurant involved? That way we can stop all the speculation and your conspiracy theories about this being a restaurant in Saratoga.

Let’s be honest Steve, it is a downtown Albany restaurant, with students from Albany Medical College. I believe it is 677 Prime-and in response to MY opinion, you call me ignorant and obnoxious. Tolerance is not your strong point-how ironic!

My suggestion that the bloggers that assailed me were on Mazzone’s payroll was my attempt at humor. I will know better next time.

BILL IN SALEM:

You are 100% correct, I re-read the original article and now understand that it was the owner that felt this was an organized scam. I made a note of that in my post (#28)-I was wrong and I promptly admitted it.

WILLIEPET:

Freedom of Speech as I understand it is the ability to express my opinion without fear of character assaults (#15,17,18,20) or physical retaliation (#25). As a side note, we are talking about a gratuity in a restaurant for christ’s sake not Roe V. Wade. I have the right to voice my opinion on such a rediculous topic and so do you!

JERRY:

Your insinuation that Steve should physically assault me for disagreeing with him was a real knee slapper. Given Steve’s history with violence related to this blog, it may have been in poor taste.

I do not mind the rebuttals from other bloggers–that is why we come here Einstein. To create dialogue about a variety of topics and voice our opinions related to those issues. We should have lively discussions on this board, we can just do without the “Arrogant, Ignorant, Cocaine Using, Fool, Smug, Hysterical” synonyms.

What is truly sad Jerry is that you and your fellow bloggers took the closing of my post (#28) literally. It was another attempt at humor which you, Steve, and Willipet completely missed. (Think Animal House).

In closing, my opinion of Mazzone has NEVER wavered and that is clear through 4 years of posts. The fact that a paid TU staffer enjoys a close friendship puts an question mark on the validity of his posts. It’s as simple as that!

No, David Gallo III (#32), freedom of speech is NOT “the ability to express my opinion without fear of character assaults…or physical retaliation”.

Freedom of speech, as per the First Amendment, means that Congress and state governments can’t pass laws curbing the right to speak. And no one has done that to you – that’s pretty obvious!

Freedom of speech does not mean that if you make a stupid statement, no one can challenge it. Not even if their challenge meets the definition of a character assault or physical retaliation. You may have a cause of action for assault and/or battery if physical retaliation is used, but that really doesn’t have anything to do with speech anyway. Character assault is free for anyone to use, especially when it’s as deserved as in your case.

And don’t get going about libel and slander. I’m not talking about that, and you shouldn’t be either.

The conversations that have gone on in this thread are very surprising to me. This was a story about a bad-tipping / valet incident, and suddenly it focused on my businesses and me personally based on comments from a David Gallo III. I’d first like to say that I don’t know anyone named David Gallo III. He seems to know the policies at 677 Prime (#28) but we have no record of him as an employee and none of the management team at 677 knows of him. He says he’s done 200K worth of business with me (#16) but if that were the case, I would surely remember his name. Therefore, I would like to invite “Mr. Gallo” to contact me directly so we can try to rectify the situation that you appear to have with me and my company. Then, maybe, we can save fellow blog-readers from more unprovoked and completely irrelevant attacks.

As for Steve’s inclusion of my restaurants and our promotions on his blog. It’s simple, and I think zack (#12) stated it best: “It’s not Steve’s fault that Mazzone recognizes the influence this blog has and makes a point to always send Steve information detailing the latest goings on at his properties.” If we have a special event going on or something exciting happening at one of the restaurants, of course we’re going to want to promote it. One of those ways is to send the information to Steve. Some he prints, and some he doesn’t. Anyone can do it, and MANY others do.

Pico states “My baseless bashing is based on 10+ years of doing business with him. Probably 200K worth of business, Baseless–hardly!!”

Am I missing something here? You obviously have great disdain for Mr. Mazzone and clearly you are not a fan of his practices. Despite your displeasure with his establishment, you have dropped 200k in 10+ years?!?

You are either a fool or a liar, or both.

Eat, drink and be candid, with Times Union Senior Writer Steve Barnes

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